This is the only movement of the opera 'Hugh the Drover' that I've heard; I was at a concert where it was sung as a stand along song for voice and piano. The libretto is by Harold Child.
This song is sung by Mary to the townspeople after her lover, Hugh, is put in the stocks. Mary is betrothed to another man, John, but falls in love with Hugh. After losing a boxing match over Mary to Hugh, John accuses Hugh of being a French spy and he is ordered into custody. In protest, Mary gets into the stocks with Hugh and sings this song 'Here on my throne'.
Vaughan Williams writes a smooth, legato melody which rises and falls with the words so that the emphasis is on the top note. He also uses melisma much more than in other songs, which helps create this flowing, passionate line. The piano accompaniment uses legato broken chord triplets in the left hand to create a sense of movement, whilst the right hand adds a counter-melody to the vocal line; doubling the line in 3rds and 6ths in places to add emphasis.
Vaughan Williams succeeds in writing a very simply melody and accompaniment that conveys the emotion and passion of the moment; Mary's passionate song eventually frees Hugh and they leave the town together.
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